CRETE      MAP
	North Coast
		NUDE BEACHES       Saradari Beach   35.3338, 25.3845  This small beach in Hersonissos, tucked away in hidden corner near many large hotels, is the best-established nude beach on the highly developed north coast of Crete.
	South Coast The first twelve of the thirteen beaches below are on the south coast of Crete, more specifically on the western half of the south coast. This part of Crete is very rugged and very beautiful but also more challenging to get around than other parts of the island. Although the distance from Red Beach (the easternmost beach) to Kedrodasos Beach (the westernmost beach) is about 120 kilometers as the crow flies, the driving distance is closer to 200 kilometers. Getting from Point A to Point B in this part of Crete often requires going all the way to the north shore, but navigating the mountain roads is part of the adventure. Southwestern Crete is an entirely different world from the development of the north coast, and those who venture through the mountains to reach the sea will find an abundance of nude beaches. The last beach listed below, Agios Ioannis Beach, is on Gavdos Island, which is about 35 kilometers south of Crete.
		NUDE BEACHES       Red Beach   34.9858, 24.7494  From the village of Mátala, a reasonably short but fairly steep hike over a mountain brings you to Red Beach, the most popular nude beach in Crete.       Kommos Beach   35.0159, 24.7603  Just 5 kilometers from Red Beach (see the previous listing), Kommos Beach is not as popular with nudists but is nonetheless beautiful and easier to reach.       Aghios Pavlos Long Beach   35.1027, 24.5605  This unique beach is at the base of a giant sand dune. To get here, you have to wind along about 6 kilometers of unpaved road—then hike down the giant sand dune.       Micro Amoudi Cove   35.1724, 24.4187  This tiny beach near Damnoni is hidden but easy to reach by car, and it is a nudist favorite. Expect mostly bare bathers sharing close quarters.       Plakias Beach   35.1808, 24.4005  Most of the long village beach of Plakias is textile, but nudists congregate at the extreme southeast end. This beach is very close to Micro Amoudi Cove (see the previous listing)—about 3.3 kilometers by car.       Orthi Ammos Beach   35.1833, 24.2471  Easily reached by car, this beach is also frequently called "Frangokastello," which is the name of a medieval Venetian castle less than one kilometer away that is the closest major landmark.       Filaki Beach   35.1941, 24.1574  Although accessible to the public, this beach is situated just a stone's throw from Vritomartis naturist resort (listed farther down) and is attended mainly by resort guests.       Sweetwater Beach   35.2017, 24.1072  Named for the pothole-sized freshwater springs next to the sea, Sweetwater Beach is exceptionally scenic, but those with vertigo may want to think twice about attempting the steep half-hour hike. Those who make the trek may be adopted by a pet goat or two for the day.       Sougia Beach   35.2484, 23.8163  At the very remote village of Sougia, nudists gather on the east end of the pebbly village beach.       Gialiskari Beach   35.2390, 23.7229  Located about 3.5 kilometers east of the village of Paleochora, you can drive all the way to this beach. By custom, textile gather on one end of the beach and nudists on the other, even though the beach is small and nudists and textiles are within sight of one another.       Paleochora Beach   35.2348, 23.6755  Some nudists gather at the far west end of Paleochora's village in spite of occasional "no nudism" signs that are put up. If you encounter such a sign that gives you pause, remember that more remote Gialiskari Beach (see the previous listing) is just four kilometers away.       Kedrodasos Beach   35.2683, 23.5567  Of all the beaches listed on this page, this one it least established as a nude beach. However, nudity can be practiced in the off season, and you may even encounter nudists in some of the more hidden nooks during July and August. Even if there are only textiles, this beach is a worthwhile excursion just for its beauty.       Agios Ioannis Beach   34.8678, 24.0846  Agios Ioannis Beach is where most visitors to Gavdos Island congregate for bare bathing, although the 27-square-kilometer island has plenty of other beaches with nudist potential. Gavdos is considered part of Crete even through it is about 35 kilometers south of Crete's southwestern coast. Gavdos is off the mainstream tourist radar and is almost completely devoid of tourist amenities. Most come here for primitive camping, and ferry schedules do not allow for day tripping. The visitor demographics for Gavdos skew toward youthful and counterculture. NATURIST RETREATS      Vritomartis Hotel    35.1971, 24.1489     E, D, F, G, Gk, I      beach            Chora Sfakion